Beech Tree News Network

For several weeks, I’ve been watching the spring renewal process occur in my yard. Each year, I am eager to know what has survived the winter. And, I’m happy to report that most of my plants and trees seem to be living.

I enjoy the spring colors. The yellow and purple pansies/violas lived through the winter months and are still thriving. The yellow daffodils (March flowers) and pink, white and lavender hyacinths bloomed earlier. Now, the red and yellow tulips are in bloom. The iris, hostas, peonies, and lilies are looking healthy and green. A white flowering shrub has been in bloom for a couple of weeks, and a pink azalea bush has begun to show its color. The pear tree bloomed earlier. Now, the cherry and apple trees (red and yellow delicious) are blooming. I got one of the apple trees last fall. When I sent a picture of its blooms to my daughters last week, one described it as “a beautiful stick” – which it is. The weeping Japanese maple tree leaves are currently a reddish color. And, the dogwood tree lived, but failed to bloom.

Already, I can see work to be done. Of the three holly bushes, only one survived. So, I need a male holly bush and perhaps another female. I also want to thin the lilies. At present, two rose bushes look dead; if so, I will replace them. The blueberry bush survived, but doesn’t look hardy. More soil is needed in the raised bed, and the leaves that have collected along the back fence line should be raked and bagged. I also have a hydrangea – a gift – to set out soon.

My yard is not a well-planned landscape. It has evolved over the past three decades. My late husband would have gladly filled the yard with flowers and bushes, reducing the grass to small plots. My daughters have also regularly contributed to my yard’s collection of plants and bushes in the form of birthday and Mother’s Day gifts. Thankfully, I am blessed with a son-in-law who mows my yard and never complains of the weed eating required.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The earth laughs in flowers” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_gardening.html). As I watch the spring renewal process, I find myself agreeing with Emerson. And, I’m thankful so many of my plants and trees survived the winter.